BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP)—Former U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters gave birth to a daughter on Wednesday, nine months after retiring from tennis.

Clijsters and her husband, American basketball player Brian Lynch, named the baby Jada.

“The parents and the baby are in great shape,” spokesman Jeroen Jespers said.

The 24-year-old Clijsters retired in May, saying a string of injuries had led to fatigue, a lack of motivation and a decline in play. She said she wanted to focus on a new life with Lynch, who plays in the Belgian league.

Clijsters was Belgium’s first tennis player to reach the No. 1 ranking, holding it for 19 weeks in 2003.

She won her only Grand Slam title at the 2005 U.S. Open, but Clijsters also won the 2002 and 2003 WTA Championships as part of her 34 career singles titles.

According to Clijsters’ Web site, the baby, born at a hospital in Tongeren, weighed 6.69 pounds.

Oh thanks so much for the great news! Kim is a class act...so glad she got away from Lleyton Hewitt. I hope she has a wonderful life. I understand that she was one of the nicest players on the tour and loves children. Congratulations Kim!

Oh thanks so much for the great news! Kim is a class act...so glad she got away from Lleyton Hewitt. I hope she has a wonderful life. I understand that she was one of the nicest players on the tour and loves children. Congratulations Kim!

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what's the big deal with hewitt...he has a wife and a daughter (i think? pretty sure it's a girl)

so what's wrong with him? i mean, that wouldve been a wierd matchup, plus Bec is so much hotter....but whatever.

Oh thanks so much for the great news! Kim is a class act...so glad she got away from Lleyton Hewitt. I hope she has a wonderful life. I understand that she was one of the nicest players on the tour and loves children. Congratulations Kim!

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She was one of the nicest players that was on the women's tour. I saw one of her matches at the US Open a few years ago. She was playing on the grandstand. After she won her match, she stayed on court and signed every autograph she could until, the officials forced her off the court because the next match was starting. She was still on court while the other players were warming up for their match. After witnessing that she became one of my favorites on the WTA Tour.

She was one of the nicest players that was on the women's tour. I saw one of her matches at the US Open a few years ago. She was playing on the grandstand. After she won her match, she stayed on court and signed every autograph she could until, the officials forced her off the court because the next match was starting. She was still on court while the other players were warming up for their match. After witnessing that she became one of my favorites on the WTA Tour.

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I gotta agree. She was a true player, enjoyed the sport, and loved and appreciated every fan who took the time to watch her play. she respected every player and always had a smile on her face. I wish her all the best with her baby, as I am sure with her kind nature, her child will grow up to be amazing.

She was one of the nicest players that was on the women's tour. I saw one of her matches at the US Open a few years ago. She was playing on the grandstand. After she won her match, she stayed on court and signed every autograph she could until, the officials forced her off the court because the next match was starting. She was still on court while the other players were warming up for their match. After witnessing that she became one of my favorites on the WTA Tour.

what's the big deal with hewitt...he has a wife and a daughter (i think? pretty sure it's a girl)

so what's wrong with him? i mean, that wouldve been a wierd matchup, plus Bec is so much hotter....but whatever.

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What happened was Kim and Lleyton were together for quite a long time and were engaged to be married in February 2 years ago I believe. In November the engagement was broken and he was engaged to Bec before the month he was due to marry Kim. Sorry.....but that makes him a giant dirt bag in my book....that's my opinion..and I'm entitled to it...feel free to blast away

What happened was Kim and Lleyton were together for quite a long time and were engaged to be married in February of last year I believe. In November the engagement was broken and he was engaged to Bec before the month he was due to marry Kim. Sorry.....but that makes him a giant dirt bag in my book....that's my opinion..and I'm entitled to it...feel free to blast away

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ILC, LOL, you're not going to get a lot of ''Lleyton is NOT a dirtbag'' sort of hate mail. You're just not, unless his entourage is reading in here.

Great info and thread: just hate to see it in the 'former player' section. I miss her on tour.

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I totally agree. She was by far my favorite womens player. She played with so much enthusiasm and effort. I loved how she could get to anything and everything and that slide where she would practically do the splits. Hopefully her daughter can get out there and relive what kim has done